#13 UCLA Gymnastics Sends Three Bruins to NCAA Championships
#13 UCLA Gymnastics Sends Three Bruins to NCAA Championships
Senior Nia Dennis, junior Margzetta Frazier, and freshman Chae Campbell will compete Friday for individual titles.
This afternoon, three UCLA gymnasts will compete in the NCAA Individual Gymnastics Championships. The individual championships take place during the team semifinals. UCLA’s three gymnasts will compete in today’s second session which begins at 3 pm PT. It will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Last Time Out
After posting a season high score of 197.275, the UCLA Bruins gymnastics team finished third at the Regional Final behind the Michigan Wolverines, who earned a score of 198.100, and UC Berkeley Golden Bears, who scored 197.750. It was not enough to qualify for the team competition as only the top two teams advance to the National Championships. This is the first time in 15 years that UCLA will not be making the trip.
UCLA began the meet on the floor exercise, scoring 49.425 to tie for second with UC Berkeley. Both teams were just .100 behind first-place Michigan after the first rotation. Sekai Wright was in the leadoff spot for the first time, and had an unfortunate stumble that actually caused a long delay while judges debated her score, ultimately awarding her a 9.525. Emma Andres was up next, and was able to get the scoring back on track with a 9.825. Margzetta Frazier and Chae Campbell earned a pair of 9.900s, and Pauline Tratz earned a 9.875. Nia Dennis had a strong closing with a 9.925, keeping the Bruins tied for second place.
The Bruins were on vault in the second rotation, and Tratz led off with a solid 9.825. Kendal Poston and Wright earned back-to-back 9.850s, and Frazier added a 9.800. Dennis stuck her vault once again for a 9.900, and Campbell contributed a near-perfect 9.925. Dennis and Campbell earned high enough scores to compete in this event in the individual competition in the national championships, but Michigan scored a school record of 49.725 on uneven bars, putting UCLA in third place behind the Wolverines and Golden Bears.
In the third rotation, the Bruins moved to the uneven bars, and Frida Esparza and Campbell opened up with back-to-back 9.850s. Savannah Kooyman closed her collegiate career with a solid 9.750 and Sara Ulias followed with a huge 9.900. Norah Flatley followed with a 9.825 and Frazier closed with a 9.950. Even with the 49.375, the Golden Bears hit a 49.500 on floor, putting the Bruins further behind in third.
The fourth rotation on beam started off with a fall, but Dennis got things back on track with a 9.725. Scores only got better as Frazier earned a 9.825 and Flatley and Campbell scored a 9.900 each. Nicole Shapiro closed her final beam performance as a Bruin with a 9.775, giving UCLA a 49.125 on beam and a season-high overall total of 197.275. Unfortunately, this would put the Bruins in third place behind Michigan and UC Berkeley, leaving them out of the team competition.
It was a rebuilding year for the Bruins, losing two former Olympians and several All-Americans after the shortened 2020 season. Even so, UCLA still remained nationally ranked in the top 15 all season and competitive in both conference and non-conference meets. With a strong freshman class and more coming in next fall, this team has not even begun to hit their full potential.
NCAA Championships
Dennis, Frazier, and Campbell will all compete as individuals on Friday, with Dennis on vault, Frazier on uneven bars, and Campbell in the all-around. As an all-around competitor, Campbell is eligible for individual titles on all four events and the all-around. On that day, the top four teams will be advancing to the team final while individual titles will be awarded.
Dennis will be in the first rotation and Frazier will compete in the second rotation. Both individuals will be rotating with the Alabama team. Campbell will compete in all for rotations and will travel through the meet with LSU.
The team semifinals and individual competition will be televised live on ESPN2 on today at 10:00 am PT and 3:00 pm. PT. The team finals will be televised live on ABC on tomorrow at 12:30 pm PT.
NCAA Gymnastics National Championships
Individuals: Nia Dennis, Margzetta Frazier, Chae Campbell
When: Friday, April 16, 3:00 pm PT Where: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN and the ESPN App
Live Updates: NCAA.com
Go Bruins!!!
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